Why?

[DaisyNonna]

What makes a person decide to be a politician?
Money, kudos, need to feel important?
Real feeling for people?
Expenses, publicity, long summer holidays?
The belief that he/she knows what is best for us poor ill educated peasants?
POWER?

[Mamyalynne]

Hate to state the obvious but each person will have their own reasons, you've no doubt listed many it could be.

[Cloverjo]

I was just wondering myself why anyone would want the top jobs. I can understand the aim to a politician, and to be the best you can be while trying to deliver what you think is good for the country and world. I guess I'm not ambitious enough (or at all) to understand their mindsets.

[-Talbot-]

Many don't like real work.

[gness]

Hi, Daisy...nice to see you posting.....

MrG was very interested in politics......I used to sit in bed at night and tell him long stories (he was a patient man) about how aliens were planning to destroy his country by sending their rejects to take over the bodies of politicians and cause mayhem and confusion.....their aim was to take over the world in the end.....but they were experimenting on Britain first......

I'm thinking now that this wasn't so much my strange imagination as a premonition...... :-(

[kvalidir]

Politics interests me and I wouldn't rule out going into politics when I'm older, and for myself it would be for a genuine desire to alter things for the better and to address problems. Others might have other reasons, but I can think of a reasonable amount of politicians who are in it for the right reasons as well as the vast amounts who are indeed possibly power mad nacissists.

[baza]

I think some of them start off trying to improve where they live, but then the money and power takes over. Look at your local parish, town councils, then look at your MP, chances are he/she is not a local.

[RobNorth]

Well, it's better than working for a living....a lot of people fall into it by accident and the reasons are manifold. Most Labour MP's like Prescott were and are sponsored by the Unions, having been shop stewards and local union reps. There are many these days who go into local politics for the money - i've known a few, and they quickly get a liking for expenses and jollies etc.
Some, like Corbyn, are just inadequate and never really leave school, become perpetual students, and because it's such an easy job, with no requirements at all, they are happy to just turn up, do the time and collect their pension - it's a complete fluke that he ended up on the front bench - the vast majority whether local or national, are never seen or heard of...
Also, a surprising amount have it running in the family, because they know a good thing when they see it and they know how easy it is, with, I believe, the longest holidays of any job.